Maldivian arrested in Sri Lanka over illegal broadcasting operation
During the raid, police seized broadcasting and transmission equipment valued at approximately 50 million Sri Lankan Rupees.
A Maldivian national has been arrested in Sri Lanka for allegedly operating an illegal television and radio transmission facility and streaming copyrighted content without authorisation.
According to Sri Lankan media reports published on Tuesday, the operation was carried out by the Mount Lavinia Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau.
Two suspects were arrested during the raid, including one Maldivian citizen. Authorities have not released the identity of the Maldivian suspect.
Sri Lankan police said the operation was allegedly being run under the cover of a travel agency in the Attidiya area near Ratmalana Airport.
During the raid, police seized broadcasting and transmission equipment valued at approximately 50 million Sri Lankan Rupees, equivalent to around MVR 2.3 million.
The items confiscated included:
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Satellite receivers
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Satellite dishes
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Computer systems
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Starlink units
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Other broadcasting and transmission equipment
According to the investigation, the facility allegedly used satellite technology to intercept and download television channels before retransmitting them as television and radio services.
Sri Lankan authorities said the broadcasts were being distributed both within Sri Lanka and internationally.
The investigation is ongoing.
